Two people were killed in a workplace incident at a Suncor oilsands site in northern Alberta on Monday evening.
At around 5:30 p.m., emergency services at the Fort Hills mine site in the Wood Buffalo region responded to an incident at the mine. A spokesperson with Suncor said a dozer made contact with a truck. Two people, who Suncor said were ClearStream Energy Services employees, were killed in the incident. ClearStream provides mining services at the Fort Hills site.
Wood Buffalo RCMP said a 29-year-old man from Bloomfield, N.L., was driving the pickup truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene, RCMP said.
A 28-year-old Calgary woman, a passenger in the pickup truck, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
A 58-year-old Fort McMurray man was driving the bulldozer, according to the RCMP. He was not injured in the collision.
Suncor said it is working with Occupational Health and Safety, as well as the RCMP, on the investigation.
“OHS was notified of a fatal incident involving two workers in the Wood Buffalo region on Monday, Dec. 28. OHS is investigating and no additional information is available,” Natasha McKenzie with OHS said in a statement to Global News Tuesday morning.
In a statement, ClearStream said it is deeply saddened by the deaths of two members of its family. The company said it will not be releasing the names of the victims.
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“First and foremost, we extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of those we have lost,” CEO Yves Paletta said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they endure this incredibly difficult time and we grieve this loss together.”
Operations at the Fort Hills mine have been stood down as the investigation is underway. It’s not known how long operations will be paused. A Suncor spokesperson said critical work at the site continues.
Suncor said grief counselling has been made available for employees, and the company has 24/7 employee and family assistance available.
“We are deeply saddened,” Suncor spokesperson Jennifer Lomas said Tuesday. “Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this time.
“We’re obviously most concerned about family members and friends of the individuals involved.”
Fort Hills is an open-pit truck and shovel mine located about 85 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
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